DAYSOUT
KENT GOES GOULISH
It ’ s dark , there are strange creatures running around the streets , your stash of chocolates is disappearing quicker than the sun on a bank holiday , and it ’ s 31st October . It can only mean one thing : Halloween . And if you , like many , want to celebrate Halloween Kentish style , then there is plenty going on to entertain you this spooky holiday .
House of the Dead & The Mystery of the Pumpkin Ghost // Bluewater // 14-31 Oct
There are two different creeptacular events taking place at Bluewater shopping centre this Halloween . The first is The Mystery of the Pumpkin Ghost , a family-friendly spookfest that will have everyone getting their Mystery Inc on to solve the so-called haunting . Enter the toyshop where you will be greeted by the toymaker himself who will share with you the secret history of the Pumpkin Ghost , then send a shiver down your spine with tall tales of the curse that has plagued the shop for generations . With plenty of courage and a torch in hand , enter the workshop in search of clues to unlock and solve The Mystery of the Pumpkin Ghost .
The second attraction is the House of the Dead – and this one ’ s for the grownups . Dare you enter the most immersive , terrifying and utterly unique horror experience the UK has to offer ? Do you have what it takes to survive the House of the Dead with your sanity intact ? Packed with your worst nightmares , House of the Dead will take you on a terrifying walk-through journey in an unreal world made up of phenomenal , horror movie quality sets , routes of terror and most importantly , the most horrific monsters and creatures Bluewater has ever seen . www . houseofthedead . com
Witches and Wizards ’ Academy // Leeds Castle // 22-28 Oct
It ’ s time for children to go back to school , ‘ spell school ’ that is to learn a new set of magical skills this Halloween Half Term at the Leeds Castle Witches and Wizards Academy , sponsored by the Kent Messenger . From 22nd October to 28th October , put yourself to the test and take part in a whole range of magical mayhem that will have children spookily entertained all day long as they hop from one ghoulish activity to another .
Learn how to mix the right creepy ingredients in a giant cauldron to make magical potions with the potions professor ; graduate to spell class where you ’ ll learn to cast fiendish incantations . Next up is broomstick flying lessons . Fly around the broomstick assault course , but be careful of the pumpkin speed bumps and remember to go slowly through the graveyard . Then join with other pupils to take part in choir practise singing along with the spooky song ‘ the twelve days of Halloween ’.
A valid admission ticket to Leeds Castle is required for this event . Annual tickets cost £ 24.50 for adults ; £ 21.50 for seniors and visitors with disabilities ( carer goes free ); £ 16.50 for children ( under 4 ’ s free ). Annual tickets are valid for 12 months so you can pay once and visit all year round . Pre-book online the day before you visit and save 10 %. www . leeds-castle . com
Halloween Spooktacular // Kent Life // 22-31 Oct
Kent Life is usually such a cheerful place to be … but at Halloween all of that changes and the spooks come out to play ! Cuddle Corner turns creepy and instead of rabbits and hens you ’ ll find spiders , snakes and scorpions . Dare to take a trip on the farm ’ s terrifying tractor ride and search for friendly ghouls on the wooden hunt . And the farmhouses are no longer comforting places to visit – they are full of trick or treating mischief makers … Along with a daily fancy dress competition , pumpkin carving and craft activities , Kent Life ’ s Halloween event is one not to be missed . www . kentlife . org . uk
Haunted Castle & What Lies Beneath // Dover Castle // 22-30 Oct & 27-29 Oct
Feeling brave enough to take on Kent ’ s most haunted castle ? Prepare to be scared this autumn half term as a frighteningly fun day out awaits you . Then pluck up your courage for a tunnels tour with a twist , staged within the castle ’ s secret tunnel complex . Not for the faint hearted . What Lies Beneath ages 13 +. Pre-booking required . www . english-heritage . org . uk / visit / places / dover-castle / events
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